Abraham ends holdout; Shanahan admits Clarett mistake

The Associated Press

Published Tuesday, August 30, 2005

John Abraham and Cedric Benson have little in common except the timing for ending their holdouts.

Abraham, a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end, and Benson, the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft this year, were at their teams' practice facilities Monday. Abraham signed his one-year, $6.67 million franchise tender with the New York Jets after missing all of training camp. Benson, a running back from Texas, reportedly got a five-year, $35 million deal with the Chicago Bears.

"The business part is over with," Abraham said. "It's time to get to the personal part, which is getting back with my teammates and getting ready for the season."

Abraham, who has a history of sacks and injuries, will have a physical Tuesday and begin practicing with the team immediately. He won't play in the exhibition finale Thursday at Philadelphia, but is expected to see spot duty in the season opener at Kansas City on Sept. 11.

He missed the final four regular-season games and two playoff games last season after spraining his right knee. He says his knee is fine, and has no hard feelings with the organization.

The Bears need Benson to be a force in a rookie-laden backfield. They'll also start Kyle Orton at quarterback after Rex Grossman broke his ankle and Chad Hutchinson flopped this summer.

"This did take a lot longer than what we had anticipated," GM Jerry Angelo said.

"We never really found that common ground. Usually, you find that common ground at some point the first couple weeks."

Benson took a conditioning test Monday, but did not practice. Coach Lovie Smith said he will not play in Thursday's preseason game against Cleveland and is questionable for the opener Sept. 11 at Washington.

The Bears also sent tight end John Owens and a conditional draft pick to Miami for linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, a Pro Bowl alternate on special teams last season.

Broncos

Coach Mike Shanahan answered questions about why he decided to waive running back Maurice Clarett, the surprise third-round draft choice who was slowed by a groin injury and never made any impact in Denver's training camp.

"I think anytime you cut somebody in the third round, you feel like you made a mistake," Shanahan said. "When you do that, you make a mistake and you go on."

Steelers

Willie Parker prides himself on his speed, but even he didn't expect his NFL career to take off this quickly. A college backup two years ago, he is now the Steelers' likely opening-day starter at running back.

Parker said Monday he hasn't been told he is officially on the team, yet he seems all but certain to start Sept. 11 against Tennessee because of injuries to Jerome Bettis (strained right calf) and Duce Staley (torn meniscus in knee).

Eagles

Jerome McDougle returned to the Eagles, one month after he was shot in the stomach by three armed robbers in southwest Miami.

"It makes you kind of wonder and makes you put things in a priority to see what's important. Life is important," McDougle said.

McDougle doesn't know when he'll be ready to play. Eagles coach Andy Reid said Sunday the third-year defensive end could be back for the fifth or sixth game if there aren't any setbacks in his rehab.

Giants

Eli Manning said he experienced no soreness in his sprained elbow Monday, a day after throwing the ball for the first time since he was injured 10 days ago.

Manning reiterated his plans to be in the starting lineup for the Giants' opener Sept. 11 against Arizona. He said he will miss the Giants' final preseason game Thursday at New England, but hopes to resume full practicing by next Monday.

"That's what I'm shooting for," he said. "My mind-set is that when we start game-planning for Arizona in the first game, I'm going to be there taking all the snaps."

Jaguars

Wide receiver Cortez Hankton was breathing a little easier about his job Monday, but his thoughts were elsewhere as Hurricane Katrina threatened his parent's home in New Orleans.

Hobbled by a nagging ankle injury for most of the preseason, Hankton was all but assured a spot on the Jaguars roster for a third consecutive year after the team released veteran receiver Troy Edwards.

But as of late Monday afternoon, Hankton was far from comfortable. He said Sunday night was the last time he spoke with his parents, both of whom live in New Orleans.